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London to Reading bus

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London - Reading Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 19 intercity buses per day from London to Reading. Traveling by bus from London to Reading usually takes around 3 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in just one hour and 26 minutes.

Distance37 mi (59 km)
Shortest duration1h 26m
Cheapest price$4.91
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceNational Express
Bus lines3

How much is a bus ticket from London to Reading?

Bus tickets for a trip from London to Reading cost $10.35 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly avg. prices

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Bus tickets from London to Reading are at their cheapest average price in March. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $19. On the other hand, traveling on this route during January might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for January trips cost $29, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

What bus companies travel from London to Reading?

There are 3 bus lines from London to Reading available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 14 daily trips, National Express usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus11h 26m$7.59
Megabus51h 36m$10.23
National Express143h 29m$43.05
  • First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 1 trips from London to Reading, and usually makes the trip in about 1 hours and 26 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.

  • Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.

  • National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 37 miles from London to Reading. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 26 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Because many passengers travel from London to Reading at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from London to Reading, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from London to Reading every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from London to Reading; ticket prices start at $27.94.

City Information

London

One of the most important cities in the world, London is where the traditional blends seamlessly with the modern. As a vibrant modern city, London has something for everyone. For visitors interested in the Royal Family as well as their history, check out Buckingham Palace. The palace is open all days in summer, but only on selected days in winter. The Tower of London, where the crown jewels are put on exhibition, is also a great spot to check out. For fans of history, you might not want to miss out on the famous British Museum, considered by many to be the best museum in all of London. The museum currently carries an impressive collection of 8 million historic objects from all around the world, making it an eye-opening destination for many.

London’s food scene reflects its multiculturalism. Here you can find restaurants serving cuisines from various countries around the world, from India to Malaysia. If you opt for a lavish dining experience, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, run by the famous chef himself, will be a great choice. Also don’t forget to stop by at a local pub and enjoy the beer like a true Londoner.

The city’s centers of intercity rail services are King’s Cross Station and Euston Station, from which you can take a train to other places in the UK or hop on the Eurostar train to Paris and beyond. The largest coach station in the city is Victoria Coach Station, serving big local carriers like National Express. The city’s air services are fulfilled by eight airports, of which London Heathrow Airport, located west of the city, is the busiest one.

Reading

Reading - GBREA-0

Image credit: Reading Tom

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Reading - GBREA-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Reading - GBREA-2

Image credit: Reading Tom

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Located only 20 minutes west of London, Reading is a large university and market town in the English county of Berkshire. Reading has an intriguing mix of the past and the present, with a vibrant student scene thriving among the city's medieval and Victorian architecture.

Reading sits on the River Thames, at the end-point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, so there are a number of pretty riverside walks to take in the scenery. Explore the gardens and meet the animals at Beadle Wildlife Park, a vast park crisscrossed with nature trails.

To discover the town's past, visit the Reading Museum, where you can take a trip through time from early Saxon settlements to the Industrial Revolution through 21st-century life.

Since Reading is home to a large university, you are always guaranteed exciting nightlife. Filled with many restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs, Reading is the perfect place for a night on the town. Try The Nag's Head, The Lyndhurst, or The Purple Turtle to start your night right.

Because Reading is only a short way from London, getting to Reading is simple. Fly to one of London's large international airports for access from around the world. Reading Train Station is also one of Britain's main railway interchanges, making it easy to reach from all over the country by train. National Express buses also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in London?

Victoria Coach Station  - GBLNNDEFLX-0

Image credit: Matt Brown

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Main departure station: London Victoria

London's Victoria Coach Station has its main entrance on Buckingham Palace Road. Well-signposted but slightly hidden in an attractive art deco office block, the station welcomes around 14 million passengers each year. The arrival and departure areas are at different ends of Elizabeth Street, with the departure zone containing food concession stands, left-luggage facilities, and restrooms. As London's largest coach station, most major coach companies, including FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express, operate from Victoria Coach Station. It is a ten-minute walk to rail and Underground services at Victoria Rail Station, whose 19 platforms include express services to Gatwick Airport.

All bus stations in London:

  • London Victoria

  • London Marble Arch (Stop S)

  • Paddington Rail Station

  • Hammersmith Bus Station (Stop D)

  • Ealing Broadway

  • Dean Gardens / Bedford Rd (Stop R)

  • Hanwell Broadway (Stop J)

Where does the bus arrive in Reading?

Main arrival station: Reading Station

Buses arrive in Reading at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Reading:

  • Reading Station

  • North Interchange

  • Trooper Potts Way

  • University - Christchurch Green

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Reading by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Reading to London?

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